HAVING FUN WITH MAGICAlan Maskell MIMC is a working close-up and children’s magician with a wealth of practical performing experience who has written for a number of magic magazines including ABRA and The Linking Ring. He has performed magic in a whole host of locations, from London theatres to close-up at The Dorchester, stand-up in Covent Garden to front room children's parties and enjoyed a wide range of residencies from restaurants and hotels to Centre Parcs.

He has performed at The Magic Circle Christmas Show, made the occasional radio and television appearance and used his magical skills to launch the 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' book in Cambridge, 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' in Peterborough and ‘The Deathly Hallows’ in Bury St Edmunds. Alan has lectured at The Magic Circle and in 2004 lectured and compered the Gala Show at the Scottish Association of Magical Societies Convention, returning the following year as an act, again on the Gala Show. In 2007, Alan won the Alistair Wand in the British Ring Shield stage competition with an act comprising of his own effects that also gained him the Conventioneers Award for originality. More recently, he has performed as a 17th century magician for St John’s College Cambridge and presented workshops for The Northern Magic Circle and The Young Magicians Club. Secretary of the Pentacle Club, he is also a deputy Chair of The Magic Circle Council.The Lecture is about adapting, personalising and playing with magic - in fact 'Having fun with Magic' would be a good title rather than comedy magic. It will include some fun routines, some ideas for making the effects fit the occasion, and thoughts and practical examples on making your magic more personal. Hopefully something for everyone, whatever their magical experience and interests, nothing too difficult and overall lighthearted but effective magic!